Over 600 Genocide survivors receive eye care

During this year’s commemoration to mark the Genocide against the Tutsi, vision for a Nation (VFAN) provided life changing eye care treatment to over 600 Genocide survivors.

The treatment was conducted in Remera, Gasabo District in collaboration with Rwanda National Association of Genocide Widows (AVEGA) which identified the individuals to receive treatment.

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For the third year running, VFAN partnered with the Rwanda AVEGA to deliver this special outreach programme.

Abdallah Uwihoreye, VFAN Country Director said the organization is committed to helping those in dire need of eye care during the Genocide commemorations.

“We are targeting to treat over 600 genocide survivors and this will have an enormous impact on the lives of AVEGA members across Rwanda. “We are also working with IBUTO foundation by identifying old women most of whom are genocide survivors by visiting and offering treatment in their home.

We shall provide them with eye drops and glasses while those who need surgery are referred to hospitals and treated for free” says Uwihoreye.

Mukamuyenzi Edith, one of the beneficiaries who received treatment says that she has been suffering from eye problems for a long time and she is grateful for the treatment that she has received from VFAN.

“I have been treated and I have also received free reading glasses from VFAN. God bless the eye care nurses for their good work of giving sight back to us” she said.

VFAN is working with the Government of Rwanda to support the delivery of equitable and sustained improvements across health services. They focus on rural areas where 80% of the population lives but with limited access to eye care services.

Vision for a Nation Foundation is a British charity that supports national health ministries in selected emerging nations to build nationwide access to local and affordable eye care. In Rwanda, VFAN has presence in all 30 districts and works with all 502 health centers found in 416 sectors across the country.